The Manitoba act took effect on July 15, 1870, and created Manitoba. Parliament adopted this act in response to the Metis concern of the provisional government, which was led by Louis Riel. The act was based on Riel's list of rights, and rightly followed what was found on the list of rights. John A. MacDonald then convinced the British to send a military expedition led by Colonel Wolseley to Manitoba in response to the settlement by the Metis. Once white settlers started pouring into the province, many Metis fled to Saskatchewan, believing that they would never receive the land grants that they were promised, as well Louis Riel fled to the United States as a result of the rapidly increasing population. Eventually, the Metis did get their land scrips, though it was less than they had been promised, as each family acquired 96 hectares, and in all there was 560 000 hectares set aside for the metis, 840 000 less hectares than they were promised.
The Manitoba Act stated that:
- The small area around the Red River Colony would become the province of Manitoba.
- The Metis would receive title to land that they had already farmed.
- That 1,400,000 acres of farmland were to be set aside for the use of Metis children.
- There would be both languages and religious beliefs in schools and government.
Quiz
Who led the military expedition sent out by John A. MacDonald?
Name two of the four laws that the Manitoba Act instated.
The Manitoba Act
The Manitoba act took effect on July 15, 1870, and created Manitoba. Parliament adopted this act in response to the Metis concern of the provisional government, which was led by Louis Riel. The act was based on Riel's list of rights, and rightly followed what was found on the list of rights. John A. MacDonald then convinced the British to send a military expedition led by Colonel Wolseley to Manitoba in response to the settlement by the Metis. Once white settlers started pouring into the province, many Metis fled to Saskatchewan, believing that they would never receive the land grants that they were promised, as well Louis Riel fled to the United States as a result of the rapidly increasing population. Eventually, the Metis did get their land scrips, though it was less than they had been promised, as each family acquired 96 hectares, and in all there was 560 000 hectares set aside for the metis, 840 000 less hectares than they were promised.
The Manitoba Act stated that:
- The small area around the Red River Colony would become the province of Manitoba.
- The Metis would receive title to land that they had already farmed.
- That 1,400,000 acres of farmland were to be set aside for the use of Metis children.
- There would be both languages and religious beliefs in schools and government.
Quiz